Varicose Veins - Ugh!

[Naggy]

As I was shopping, trying on a skirt in a change-room this weekend, I noticed a nasty blue vein bulging out a bit in my right calf.

I won't even begin to rant about the lighting in the room, but lets just say my self-esteem went down about 100 points after seeing myself in their full-length mirror. Ick!

Anyways, I was wondering... Short of laser surgery... is there anything I can do to get rid of this vein? I'm paranoid that I'm going to start getting them all over. I'm fairly fair-skinned and have bright blue veins that really stand out (they're noticable everywhere - my chest, arms, legs). None of them bulge like this one though (and it's not in an 'I'm so cut and pumped up' bulging kind of way)!

Does anyone have any prevention tips? Tricks to conceal them?

[amyloo]

I don't know how to prevent them but I'm in the same boat. Very thin fair skin that my veins show through already. I have a big (huge) varicose one that runs from the top of my calf up to mid hamstring. Blech. I think you can get saline injected into them. I'm going to ask my doctor about it at my yearly in August.
If you really can't stand the look, Dermablend, or even the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs will help cover them.

[drlinda]

I know how you feel. The varicose veins around my ankles got so bad I stopped wearing skirts and shorts. I tried covering it up with makeup and the spray on hose. I finally went to a vascular surgeon and had saline injections. It was worth it. Good luck.

[MaiCarInMtl]

I'm starting to see little bits of veins in my upper thighs (on the outside)... If these are varicose or just broken, I have no clue. I know my mother's legs are covered with them even though she got injections for them when she was in her early 30s (she's in her late 50s). She now calls her legs her "Rand McNally Road Maps". Treatments now available include laser, injections, closing down of the vein and removal of the vein.

Here's a link if you want more info Mayo Clinic info on Varicose Veins (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/varicose-veins/DS00256/DSECTION=1)

[Sportsgirl]

3 ways to treat:

1. Laser (not that effective)
2. Sclerotherapy
3. Stripping.

I have a good amount on my left calf. I'm gonna get them ripped out when I have the time to.

[jennof4]

I also have them on the outside of both my thighs, right where it is noticeable if I wear a skirt or shorts :mad:

[Redrocks]

I've been researching myself, and found this site...www.vnus.com..looks like a better alternative than stripping. Unfortunatly, there is not much you can do to prevent varicose veins...blame them on your parents and then have'm removed.

[JackieRTP]

Just for the record... that Mayo site said:

"Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 60 percent of all Americans"

Just so we all know that it is fairly common....

[Naggy]

Thank you so much to all who've responded!!!
I searched around a bit on the web and actually found a clinic nearby that specializes in varicose vein treatments. Once I save up a bit of money, I'll be checking it out further!
Until then, self-tanner is my friend!!!